Scot Andy Murray believes he is ready to win the Australian Open after arriving in Melbourne.
The world number four will be aiming to lift his first grand slam title at the tournament, which begins on January 18, and is in a confident frame of mind after an impressive week at the Hopman Cup in Perth.
Murray and his 15-year-old partner Laura Robson reached the final of the mixed teams event, where they were defeated 2-1 by Spain on Saturday.
The 22-year-old breezed through his three group games and, while he suffered a surprise three-set defeat to Tommy Robredo in the final, Murray said he could not be happier with his form.
“The week has been really good.
“I’ve been really happy with the way I’ve played all week on the court,” he said.
“I think it was perfect preparation for the Aussie Open.
“I’m ready to win it.
“I just need to play well and if I do then there’s no reason why I can’t.
“I feel like I’m serving well, moving well and hitting the ball better than I have for a long time from the back of the court.
“There’s not a whole lot to complain about.
“Physically I feel good.
“It was good to play back-to-back days.
“My back is a little bit stiff because I haven’t played much in the past six or seven weeks, but it’s good to get the body used to playing.
“I feel really well prepared.”
Murray is not scheduled to play another match before the Australian Open begins, but will look to organise an uncompetitive match during this week’s AAMI Classic event at Kooyong.
Murray’s matches at the Hopman Cup were indoors under the Burswood Dome and he admitted he would like to play an outdoor match to finalise his preparations.
“I’ll speak to my coach and the people I work with this week. I’m sure I’ll play a match there just to play outdoors,” he said.
“Ideally I would have played outdoors last week, but I was able to practice outdoors on the off days to acclimatise.
“You feel like you get into a rhythm quicker indoors because without the wind or the sun you get comfortable on the ball.
“I’ll practice a lot next week outdoors and I’m sure I’ll be fine.
“I’ll train hard for the first four or five days and then relax over the weekend and get ready.”
Top seed Andy Roddick beat Radek Stepanek in two tight sets in the final of the Brisbane International yesterday
The American defeated the second seed and defending champion from the Czech Republic 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (9-7) in two hours and five minutes.
Roddick’s serving was key to his victory as he got an impressive 77% of first serves in and sent down seven aces.
